Description

This paper describes IAQ investigations in a midwestern elementary school, which was closed for almost five months while remedial actions were taken.

After a malfunction of the boiler system in conjunction with a steam leak, an initial IAQ investigation revealed that eye and respiratory irritation experienced by individuals exposed to the leaking steam were primarily the result of an overabundance of boiler treatment chemicals in the system.A subsequent investigation revealed that the outside air louvers to all classroom ventilators had been shut and sealed in the 1970s to conserve energy, extremely limiting the amount of outside air entering into the building. The IAQ investigation documented poor air circulation in the classrooms and recommended that the sealed unit ventilators be restored to their original operating parameters. There were also recommendations regarding control of chemicals and general cleaning.

Nine months later teachers and students again complained of odors and illnesses on an intermittant basis that were believed to be related to air quality. It was decided to move all school personnel to another location so that an intensive IAQ investigation could be conducted. Subsequent recommendations were to control water infiltration into the building, clean up biological contamination in all areas, seal penetrations from service tunnels into classrooms, clean and repair the unit ventilators, remove asbestos insulation, reinsulate steam lines, and conduct intense cleaning and disinfection. After the remediation efforts, all but one of the impacted individuals were able to reoccupy the building.

Authors: Michael A. Pinto, Ph.D.
Citation: IAQ and Energy 98 Using ASHRAE Standards 62 and 90.1 Conference Papers
Keywords: October, Louisiana, 1998

Citation: IAQ Conference: IAQ 98

Product Details

Published:

1998

File Size:

1 file , 160 KB

Product Code(s):

D-8138